Dillian Whyte issues immediate apology after Moses Itauma KO

Dillian Whyte apologised to his trainer Buddy McGirt immediately after his brutal knockout defeat to Moses Itauma.

It took Itauma just under two minutes to brutally knock out the heavyweight veteran in their main event clash in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night. The 20-year-old rising star was in full control from the first bell, catching the 'Body Snatcher' off guard with his phenomenal speed.

Whyte failed to get his jab going before being sent crashing to the canvas after absorbing a punishing right hook. The 37-year-old was able to get back up, but referee Mikael Hook prevented him from further damage by waving off the contest. Extending his record to 13-0, the future certainly looks bright for Itauma.

As for Whyte, what is next remains to be seen. t, trainer McGirt revealed that his fighter immediately expressed regret for how the heavyweight showdown played out. "He’s good, his spirits are good,” McGirt said.

READ MORE: Tyson Fury savages brother Tommy over Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul prediction

READ MORE: Daniel Dubois breaks his silence on split from trainer Don Charles

“He was down for a bit last night, but now he’s getting better. He’s apologised. I’m like, there’s nothing to apologise for, this is the game we’re in, it happens sometimes. This is the sport we’re in. You stepped in the ring, you did what you had to do, it went the way it went, but you don’t owe anyone an apology.

“He steps up to the plate, he takes on anybody. Nobody wanted to fight Moses, he stepped up. Nobody has the mentality of Dillian.” His trainer later admitted that one concussive punch practically ended the fight for the 'Body Snatcher.' He added: “He did have an injury a couple of weeks ago but he said he was going to go through with the fight. Everything was good until he got hit with that shot, he didn’t recover quick enough.”

Many were quick to have their say on the fight, including promoter Eddie Hearn - who insisted that Whyte had no business in being in the ring with Itauma. In an interview with , he said of Itauma's win: "Very impressed. But I feel very sad for Dillian. He shouldn’t have been in there, if I’m being honest.

“That was the worst matchup for him with no activity. I feel like that was always going to happen. Knowing Dillian at 38 years old, I found it hard to watch. That was one of the reasons he took the fight. The money was great." He continued: "Dillian is brave. He always believes he can win, but we always said those first three or four rounds were going to be horrendous for him.

"I didn’t expect them to be that horrendous. I just feel the punch resistance [wasn’t there]. It was a lot of fast cupping shots on the side of the head, but it wasn’t like [huge shots]. He didn’t look good on his feet. And someone as good and as special as Moses, it’s going to be really difficult if you can’t get through the start."

What's next for Dillian Whyte?

The 'Body Snatcher' has enjoyed a glittering career at the top level and has fought the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker. There were question marks over his future heading into the contest and even his trainer, McGirt, admitted that Whyte's career could be over with a defeat against Itauma.

Speaking on the official DAZN broadcast ahead of the heavyweight dust-up, the famous boxing trainer admitted: "If Dillian loses, it is over. If Moses loses, he can always come back. Then he (Whyte) becomes a journeyman which he does not really deserve. So we know this fight right here is all about nuts and guts. We have got to put it all on the line."